Fishing conditions about to ripen to full bloom

Crucial water access bill gets its day

April 11, 2018

Totally Excellent!

April 11, 2018

Literally everyone we’ve asked agrees: There are just tons and tons of fish out there in local waters just waiting to be caught.

But the problem remains the same – the current weather pattern, which gives us either pre-cold-front rain or post-cold-front winds – neither which are favorable to get out and post a sizable catch.

But anglers say that for the first time in a while, they’re seeing some light at the end of the tunnel. With April here and temperatures beginning to warm up, they believe that local fishing is really about to be on in a big, big way.

The past week was still hit or miss for fishing with a cold front on Wednesday and then wind and rain dominating the back-half of the week.

But weather patterns are changing and the fronts are becoming less frequent and the conditions within them less drastic. That should make for stabilization and frequent, abundant catches, according to the men and women who frequent the waters heavily over the course of the year.

“Right now is really that time to start to get excited,” said Houma native Pete Reese. “The weather is starting to really warm up and even when the fronts pass, the conditions only last a day or two. The winds are going down, some of the waters are going down and offshore is about to start back up, too. It’s about to be one of the best times of the year – right now.”

That’s exciting news for anglers because good catches are being reported in both local parishes.

In Lafourche, anglers reported sizeable redfish and trout in Golden Meadow, Leeville and even toward Fourchon and Grand Isle last week – all before the front passed through.

Others have fished on the side of the La. Highway 1 road on the way to Grand Isle and have reported redfish.

Golden Meadow native Ro Guidry said the marshes are loaded right now with beautiful fish that are the proper size to be kept. He said last Monday, he had a huge day in the earning morning and then in the afternoon after lunch.

That makes sense.

Last Monday’s high temperature was 81 degrees and conditions were calm with just a light breeze. Those conditions are ideal for abundant catches.

Guidry said he’s been working minnows and other live baits to work his magic.

“The good days are getting really good,” Guidry said. “In February and March, it’s our windy season and you really have to fight just to get out on the water at all. But now, those days are starting to get a little bit less frequent. You have to battle the sun a little more, of course, but if you’re catching, I think that’s a trade we’re all willing to make.”

In both Terrebonne and Lafourche, bass season is starting to heat up.

In Lafourche, Bayou Lafourche has been kind to anglers, as well as the canals, lakes and other freshwater passes.

In Terrebonne, Bayou Black had taken a significant hit in the past few months as rising waters from river tributaries limited where anglers could go, while also making waters murky.

But those waters are beginning to clear and the fish are starting to bite. The conditions are expected to continue to get better in the coming weeks, as well, as the river waters continue to retreat.

“It’s still off, but it’s not like it was,” Houma native Bill Toups said. “There are some patches that are clearing up and the fishing is really good when it can be found.”

In the salt and brackish waters of Terrebonne, the conditions are the same as in Lafourche with abundant catches being reported when the temperatures are warm and the conditions still.

Speckled trout were off throughout spring, but are really heating up in the marshes – which will last throughout the summer.

OFFSHORE FISHING GETTING CLOSE TO STARTING